Mahabubnagar District Profile

Mahabubnagar is situated towards the south west of the Hyderabad city. The place, which constitutes an important district of Andhra Pradesh state, happens to be a neighbouring city for Hyderabad and the distance being a little more than 95 kilometres. The place has a direct railway link and road link with that of the capital city.

Mahabubnagar, formerly known as Palamaroo, is more or less like any other districts in the Deccan Plateu. The place shares its boundaries with yet other districts like Nalgoda, Prakasam, Kurnool, Gulbarga and Raichur. Agriculture continues to be the prime occupation which is accompanied by a number of small scale industries. The Gadwal handlooms and Woolen Blankets produced in the region are very popular. Paper industry and animal husbandry complement the revenue generated in the city. Like the rest of Deccan cities the region has a history influenced by great many dynasties that used to prevail in the region.

Mahabubnagar despite facing serious water crisis has been amassing the tourists, especially those travelling in and from Hyderabad city. This small city-town is known for a variety of reasons. Housed in the region are some incredible tourist places and pilgimage centers. The popular tourist places located in the precincts include Gadwal Fort, Sarlasagar, Nagarjuna-Srisailam Sanctuary, Pillalamarri Banyan Tree, etc. The pilgrimage centers located at Mahabubnagar include Wanaparthi Temple, Manikonda Temple, Alampur Temple, Nava Brahma Temple, Malleswaram Temple, Sri Rangapur Temple and Somasila Temple. The region is also popular for its traditional handicrafts. The handlooms produced and merchandised in the region are fabulous and treasures to be possessed.

HISTORY

During the 18th century Kurnool formed the jagir of a semi-independent Pathan Nawab, whose descendant was dispossessed by the British government for treason in 1838. The Nawab's former territory became a district of Madras Presidency, with Kurnool as its capital. The district surrounded the princely state of Banganapalle. After India's independence in 1947, Kurnool became part of the state of Madras, created out of the former Madras presidency, and Banganapalle was added to the district. The eleven northern districts of Madras state became the new state of Andhra in 1953, and Kurnool served as the state's first capital. In 1956 Andhra Pradesh was formed by combining the Andhra State and Telangana region, formerly part of Hyderabad state. Hyderabad was made the capital of new enlarged state of Andhra Pradesh. Kurnool is the only city in India that is located in between two rivers: Tungabhadra and Hundri. The historic Konda Reddy Fort is located in the heart of Kurnool. This has an underground hidden pathway (swarang) of about 25 km to Allampur (a neighbouring town).